Engraved panel, Draa Valley, Morocco

3D Model

The image shows a partial 3D reconstruction of a complex set of geometric engravings located throughout a rocky outcrop near the town of Tata, in the Draa valley in Morocco. The Draa valley surroundings, located to the south of Morocco, house one of the two main concentrations of rock art in the country, the other being the High Atlas. So far, more than 300 rock art sites have been located in the country, most of them on the edges of the Sahara Desert.

Rock art in Morocco consists mainly of engravings, depicting wild animals, cattle, riders in hunting or war scenes and geometric symbols difficult to interpret. Although chronologies are difficult to establish, some of the engravings could 5,000 years old or older.

This model was created using original photographs from the African rock art image project, supported by the Arcadia Fund. For more information visit www.britishmuseum.org/africanrockart